Flush valve



Patented Mar. 27, 1928e tait-@iti EDWARD e. annees, or NEWARK, new Jansen'.

FLUSH vnnvn.

This invention relates to tlush valves for water closets andthe like andl relates more .particularly to such valves of the self-closinfrf type.

An object ofthe invention is to Drovide a flush valve capableol convenient and noiseless operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a iiush valve having a multiple diaphragm member` cooperating with other movable elements of the valve to eliminate chattering` noises duringr` operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a Hush valve havingr a multiple diaphragm having associated therewith a 'relief valve7 air sniiter, and self-cleansingr equallining port, so arranged as to operate Without chattering. 1 n

Another object of the invention is to provide a iush valve having a novelform of operating' mechanism for the relief valve.

A further object of the invention is to provide an eiiective and simple arrangement of operating' parts for translating motion from a handle to the valve and to construct such parts with a view to economy of space and material to give a more compact valve mechanism. p l

A further object oi the invention is to provide a. flush yvalve of simplified construction and one which may easily be actuated to discharge a predetermined amountsof water.'

A further obj'ect of the invention is to provide a flush valve in Awhich the amount of water discharged from the compression chamber at each flushing operation is reduced at a minimum.

A. still further object ofthe invention is to provide a flush valve having` `improve-l ments in the construction and arrangement of the equalizing port, air-shifter,l relief valve and diaphragm whereby the water entering and leaving the compression chamber eii'ects a cleansing of the passages of the equalizingv port.

Other objects of the inventionwill be apparent from a reading of the following description.

Valves of the present character are generally manually operated, thatis., the action of the elements is put into operation'by a comparatively slight manually applied force which produces a positive mechanical movement of the valve irom its seat to efi'ect the -flushingopera-tion, the'valve being returned' to its seat by the pressure ot the water in the system to which the ilu'sh valve is connected. y `ihe present type oftlush valve may have a main and supplemental or compression chamber, the main chamber being in constant communication with the source of sup- `ply of water and. obviously, at equal'pressure therewith, the supplemental or compression chamber being separated from the main chamber7 in the present invention by a separating): or operating: diaphragm which carries a valve head. rlhe valve head has associated therewith a flexible member7 preierably otdislr-shape and disposed in spaced relation to the operating diaphragm as an aidin carrying theA valve head and also serving as a valve Ytace to engage with a seat to closeA the main chamber from an outlet or discharge passage. For the. purpose of maintaining the valve head seated, a bleed'- in;T hole orequaliaing conduit is provided so that the two chambers are normally maintained at substantially equal pressures.

(lrdinarily where a bleeding hole is employed. the valve or control element therein is Aof a tixedcharacter, such as a needle valve, thus the effective area oi' the hole is constant and additional means are necessary to provice for alrapid'ow of water during the actuation of the valve to allowv of the required Quick openino ot thevalve to discharge a predetermined amount of water from the compression chamber. Moreover, needle valves as heretoforel used often become clogged by the accumulation of particles ofsolid matter such as sediment or grit which interfered with the proper functionina of the valve. y

Many types ot valves as heretoi'oreconstructed have employed valve heads of' the plunger type which, although desirable under certain conditions, lack the ease of operation and have frequently been found to be Sil comparatively noisy 'and even in valves usine: a `diaphragm` objectionable chattering noises could not be avoided.

The elimina-tion oi" noise in valves is iniportant since the vde'sideraturn etY valve construction is to provide a valve in which no chattering noises occur, particularly in closet valves of the iiush type.

The present invention, therefore, includes a double diaphragm arrangement to carry a valve head, and it has been found that by utilizing one diaphragm as an operating diaphragm or control element and the other as a valve diaphragm, a quick and effective as well as a noiseless operation of the valve results.

No posit-ive reasons are advanced as to just why the additional diaphragm or flexible member causes the elimination of the chat-tering noises which accompany the operation of valves of this general type. The theory is, however, that the diaphragm or second disk-shaped member serves as a mufiier or shock absorber having an opposing action to movement which would result in undesirable sound waves, or else that the mass of water interposed between the diaphragms absorbs such vibrations.

On the other hand, the noiseless operation may be attributed to the opposing action of the valve diaphragm which although spaced from the operating 'diaphragm actuales as a part of the same, the motion being carried over thus bringing the diaphragm proper close to the seat and avoiding the iiuttering action which ordinarily may accompany the otherwise relatively highly flexible diaphragm in closing. By disposing the operating diaphragm and the valve diaphragm face to face and spaced a uniform distance apart both diaphragms have the same amount of movement during an operation of the valve and act as a single member.

The present construction also comprises a valve having a bleeder passage controlled by a valve operable to permit a constricted flow of water in one direction and also to give an ample flow in an opposite direction. A valve of this general type is shown in my Patent No. 1,176,754, issued March 28, 1916.

In addition, my valve provides an improved arrangement of the diaphragm, bleeder, air-snifter and relief valve whereby a substantially minimum amount of water is removed from the compression chamber, the air being effectively removed and the bleeder conduits being kept free of dirt and the like. Such construction also contributing to the elimination of the chattering noises. In addition, the valve provides a novel form of operating mechanism for moving the relief valve from its seat, whereby a. neater structure is had together with an economy in materials.

The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a valve embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view taken on line II-II in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the valvehead, partly broken away to show an auxiliary valve in its closed position.

Fig. 4 is an end view of a rocker-cam member for lifting the valve head, and

Fig. 5 is a side view of the cam-member shown in Fig. 4.

A practical embodiment of the invention may comprise a casing 10 threadedly connected to a cup or bonnet 11, which together constitute a valve body 12 having an inletI aperture 13 and an outlet aperture 14. The valve body is provided with an inwardly extending iiange 15 threaded to receive a threaded end 16 of a tubular member 17 having its free end so constructed as to provide a valve seat 18 to receive a valve head 19 in a manner to be presently described.

The valve head may comprise a primary or operating diaphragm 21 and an auxiliary or valve diaphragm 22 held at their peripheries between an edge of the bonnet 11 and a shoulder of the casing 10. A spacer ring 23 is provided to separate the diaphragms to permit their required independent functions. The diaphragms 21 and 22 are provided with centrally disposed openings in which is positioned the valve head 19. The valve head in conjunction with the diaphragms 21 and 22 divide the valve body into two chambers 28 and 29 and the tubular member 17 in conjunction with the diaphragm 22 separates the chamber 29 from an outlet compartment 31 which is provided with the outlet aperture 14. The inlet aperture 13 communicates with the chamber 29 and is normally cut off from the outlet compartment by the tubular member 17 which is closed by a contact face or valve portion 32 of the diaphragm 22.

The valve head 19 is reciprocable as a whole to aord communication between the chamber 29 and the outlet 14 and is provided with a relief valve 35 having a suitable packing 36 to make contact with a seat 37 integral with a cylindrical part 38 having a Harige 39. A. threaded collar 4l secures the diaphragm 22 to the part 38 and a recessed member or valve box 42 threadedly connected to the said part secures the diaphragm 2l thereto. The diaphragm 21 being secured between the lower end of the relief box and flange 39 of the part 38 which is suitably secured to the box 42. The iange is preferably made the same thickness as the ring 23 so that the diaphragms are spaced equally apart and have equal movement during the operation thereof.

The relief valve 35 normally held closed bymeans of a helical spring 43 disposed between the valve and a shoulder within the recessed member 42, although I have found that the valve 35 will return to normal po sition without the use of a spring.

A stem or plunger 44 is attached to the titi relief valve 35 and extends through a centra-l bore in the part 38, a portion ofthe stern being of a reduced diameter to provide a passage 46 communicating with the outlet chamber 31 by reason of one or more apertures 47 in the lower end of the part 38. The valve 35, however, by reason of the spring 43, closes the opposite end of the passage- Way 46.

For the purpose of equalizing the pressure in the chambers 28 and 29, apertures 48 are provided in the flange 39 which in turn connect with space 49 around the relief valve 35, which spa-ce is in communication with the interior of the recessed' member' 42, an outlet orifice 51 being provided at the upper portion thereof. rlhe diaphragm 22 is provided with apertures 52 and a restricted conduit or bleeder passage results in pei'- mitting water to pass from the compartment 29 `to the compartment 28 to equalize the pressures therein.

The orifice 51 is disposed at the smaller end of a tapered passage 53 in which is disposed an auxiliary or release valve 54 which may be of conical formation to enter the conical passage and reduce the flow of water therethrough, a shallotsT groove 55 being provided extending along the tapered portion of the valve so that when the saine is seated only a relatively fine stream of water is permitted to enter the passage 53. The upper end of the valve box 42 in which the passage 53 is disposed, extends into the upper end of the chamber 28 and serves as a stand'- pipe for an outlet for air which may accumulate at the top of the chamber. .Normally the valve 54 remains open and is supported on an extension 57 of the stem 44.

The opposite end of the stem 44 is dis-V posed in position for engagement with a rocker cam 58 operable through the actuation of a handle 59, a guide 61 being provided for the stem 44 during the reciprocation thereof when the cam 58 is moved.

The cam 58 may be pivoted at 62 to the body of the valve Within the outlet chamber 31, aI contact surface 63 of the cam being positioned beneath the lower end of the stem. Upon the cam and offset with respect to the stem is a contact cam or extension 64 disposed in the path of a plunger or pushrod 65 which may be thrust inwardly to move the Contact cam and thus operate thel cam 58 to lift the stem.

The present construction comprising the rocker arm provides for theV novel disposition of the hinge at the front of the valve. The push rod 65 is off-center with respect to the valve body, thus making it possible to bring the handle bonnet closer to the body of the valve, which is an advantage in that it reduces the amount of material in making the tvalve and enhances the appearance of the device.

Y Tlieplunger 65 may be moved by anyl suitable mechanism, that shown Abeing 0f a well kno-wn type having contacting disks 66 and G7 integral with the. plunger Vand handle, respectively, a spring y68 holdingv limited by an adjustable stop comprising a screw 74 having one end extending into the compartment 28 and engageable with the upper end of the valve head 19. The Yopposite end of the screw may extend through a composite packing 75, preferably of a ring of libre and a ring of lead. The outward end of the screw may be slotted to facilitate adjustment, and a cap 7 3 may be provided to encase the endv of the screw and to compress tl e packing therearound to prevent leakage. l

The valve may be operated as follows: l-hen the handle 59 is actuated to move the plungeigthe cam 58 is moved and the stem 44 raised. T he initial movement of the stem opens the relief valve 35, such movement bringing the relief valve into contact with the upper wall of the part 42. l/Vhen the valve is in its upper position, communication is maintained by reason of aperture 35 iii a wallof the relief valve 35. A continued moven'ient of the stein operatesto lift the valve head from the tubular member 17 or valve seat, thus opening communication between the chamber 29 and the outlet 14, at

,the same time the valve head displaces the water in the chamber 28 only to a minimum extent, the water being permitted egress from the compression chamber byineans of iin the orifice 51, passage 53, and the passage 46. inasmuch as the auxiliary valve 55 is in its lower position, an ample-flow of water is attainable and any air that may have become pocketed at the upper end of the rbonnet is released and silently dissipated. Ow-

ing to the construction of the handle and by reason of the vadjustable stop screw 75, the'valve head can only be moved a predetermined distance to permit a fioW of water from the inlet 13 to the outlet 14. `When the handle is released the relief valve 35 within the valve head closes at once under Y the action of the spring 43 and the valve head begins to drop by reason of the difference in pressures between thechambers, and water passes through the bleeder conduits 52. rlhe flow of water through the bleeder conduits is, however, retarded since such low carries the valve 54 upwardly and the tapered cud thereof enters the conical constriction et the oriiice l, leaving a passage equal in area to the area'o't the groove 55. lt will thus bc evident that the compartment 2S will li ve a lag in reaching the pressure of the compartment 29, thereby giving a time interval in which the flowing water may oppose the downward movement of the valve head. As the 'ater enters the compartment 528 through the bleeder conduit, the valve head gradually moves to engage the diaji'ihragm Q2 `with the seat ot the tubular member 17.

lt will be understood that a valve of the present type may be used with dilierent pressures et water and for the purpose o1 permitting a uniform quantity of water to pass through with each operation. lt may e necessary to vary the distance the valve head travels, which is readily accomplished by manipulation oit the screw 7o.

Although a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that modilications may be made therein which may ofall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

llVhat l claim is:

l. A flush valve comprisinga hollow body having inletand outlet openings, an annular valve seat centrally disposed within said body, a valve head having a pair oli diaphragme secured thereto and spaced apart, the outer edges ot said diaphragms being` secured in spaced relation to the body, said valve head having al hollow extension eX- tending into the upper portion ot the valve body to such an extent as to eiiect the removal of air therefrom prior to a flushing operation, a relierl valve carried by said valve head, and bleedingconduit extending through said hollow extension and communicating with the space between said diaphragins and through one ot' said diaphragme with said inlet.

2. A flush valve comprising a hollow body having inlet and outlet openings, a supply chamber, a compression chamber, and an outlet chamber, a valve head carrying a plurality oit diaphragme separating said chambers from one another, said valve head having a hollow Vextension extending into the upper portion of the compression chamber to such an extent as to effect the removal of air therefrom upon operation el' said valve, said hollow extension communicating with thc space between said diaphragms and with said supply chamber through one of said diaphragms, and a relief valve and an auriliary valve carried by said valve head.

3. l'lush valve eom'irising a hollow body having inlet and outlet openings, a supply chamber, a compression chamber, an outlet chamber, a valve head having means lor permitting the removal of water and air trom said compression chamber during a flushing operation and the admission ot water from the supply chamber to said compression chamber to equalize the pressure therein with respect to vsaid supply chamber, and a plurality of diaphragms secured to said valve head and separating said chainbers one Jfrom another.

a. A tlush valve comprising a hollow body, a diaphragm for separating said hollow body .into a supply chamber, a compression chamber and a 4discharge chamber, a. seat tor said valve, a reliet valve boit secured to said diaphragm, said bonF being so designed to serve as an air snifter, bleeder conduit and to remove a limited quantity of water trom said compression chamber, a relief valve within said relief valve box, and means for operating sai-d valve and for litting said diaphragm from said seat.

5. A flush valve comprising a hollow body, a diaphragm for separating said hollow body into a supply chamber, a compression eiamber and a discharge chamber, an annular seat for said valve, a reliet valve box secured to said diaphragm, said box having means for etecting the removal ot air from within said compression chamber and a limited quantity of water with each flushing operation, said box additionally serving to eilect the equalization otl pressures within said supply and compression chambers, and means for operating said diaphragm positively and to permit said diaphragm to be closed by the fluid pressure.

ln testimony whereof, l have hereunto subscribed my name this dl-th day oi Decemn ber, 1924.

EDl/Vi-llt-D G. HEDG-ES. 

